Understanding AR Words and Long Vowel Sounds

Have you ever wondered how to distinguish between words that sound similar but have different meanings? One key factor in English spelling and pronunciation is the use of long vowel sounds. In this article, we will delve into the concept of AR words and their long vowel sounds, providing you with a comprehensive understanding of this linguistic feature.

What are AR Words?

AR words are a group of English words that contain the letter combination “ar” in the middle or at the end of the word. These words often have long vowel sounds, which means that the vowel in the word is pronounced for a longer duration than in short vowel sounds. For example, the word “star” has a long vowel sound in the “a” and “o” sounds, while the word “car” has a long vowel sound in the “a” sound.

Long Vowel Sounds in AR Words

Long vowel sounds in AR words can be categorized into three main types: long “a” sounds, long “e” sounds, and long “o” sounds. Let’s take a closer look at each of these categories.

Long “A” Sounds

Long “a” sounds are often represented by the letter “a” followed by the letter “r” in AR words. Some common examples include “star,” “bar,” “car,” and “far.” The long “a” sound is pronounced as the “ah” sound in the word “father.” To practice this sound, try saying the following words slowly and notice the length of the vowel sound:

Long “E” Sounds

Long “e” sounds in AR words are typically represented by the letter “e” followed by the letter “r.” Examples of words with long “e” sounds include “mire,” “fear,” “here,” and “more.” The long “e” sound is pronounced as the “eh” sound in the word “feather.” Practice the following words to get a feel for the long “e” sound:

Long “O” Sounds

Long “o” sounds in AR words are often represented by the letter “o” followed by the letter “r.” Examples of words with long “o” sounds include “more,” “score,” “store,” and “core.” The long “o” sound is pronounced as the “oh” sound in the word “more.” Practice the following words to get a feel for the long “o” sound:

Common AR Words with Long Vowel Sounds

Now